Manufacturing research center to expand in Waterloo

Tuesday, May 28, 2013 2:57 PM

The Cedar Valley TechWorks is a
step closer to becoming the physical location of an advanced manufacturing hub
for the region and state, organizers announced Tuesday.

Nearly $4 million in state
funding was included in the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA)
appropriations budget for improvements to the 30-acre research and development
center, located in downtown Waterloo.

The Cedar Valley Techworks is
part of a $50 million downtown redevelopment project announced in January that
will include a 100-room hotel, a restaurant complex and green office space.

The bulk of the state funds
will be used for improvements in the Tech 1 building of the campus. The
investment will provide additional space room for new businesses and
educational programs, said Cary Darrah, general manager of Cedar Valley
Techworks.

The IEDA's Iowa Innovation
Council, which will administer the funds, worked with the Greater Cedar Valley
Alliance & Chamber to establish the campus as the designated site for the
hub.

The appropriation will also
enable the University of Northern Iowa to purchase a three-dimensional printer
to fabricate on-demand component molds to support advanced manufacturing
projects in collaboration with TechWorks.

Jerry Thiel, director of UNI's
Metal Casting Center, said he is optimistic that the expansion will benefit
manufacturers statewide.

"The capabilities of
having technology like this will undoubtedly increase the overall
competitiveness of Iowa manufacturers by allowing them to deliver products to
the market at an unprecedented rate," he said in a release.